M. Irene Gabel

Born June 12, 1922 in Pana to George Raymond and Ada (McLain) Churchill, she married Clifford Richard Gabel on September 9, 1993 in Pekin. He died August 24, 2004. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Marshall Grissom; two daughters, Patricia Chism and Debra Wicks; one grandson; one brother, Richard Churchill; and two sisters, Florence Churchill and Carolyn Oliver.

Surviving are one daughter, Judith Hubble of Kenney; one son, Dennis Grissom of Pekin; twelve grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and long-time caregiver, Agnes Cash of Pekin.

She was a United States Navy veteran of World War II.

A homemaker, Irene had worked as a beautician and was a meter maid for the City of Pekin.

Irene enjoyed ballroom dancing and had been a hostess at the Hub Ballroom in Edelstein.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 10, 2015 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, where visitation will be one before the funeral. Deacon Mark Wilder will officiate. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy and the Inter-veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com